Home & Garden

Rep. Ehrlich's Plastic Bag Legislation Seeks to Sack Pollution

The proposal got a favorable hearing and has moved to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Plastic carry-out bags have been banned in cities and counties but never a state. Massachusetts could be the first — though legislation is pending elsewhere.

State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Swampscott, is the lead sponsor for the plastic pollution reduction proposal, joined by 28 other legislators. It aims to curb storm-drain clogging and stem the tide of ocean pollution and its deadly effect on marine life, the representative said.

Late last month it got a favorable recommendation the first day it was heard and is now before the House Ways and Means Committee.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Plastic bags are deadly to the wildlife that mistake them for food or become entangled," the state representative said. "Turtles, whales, seals, birds, and fish suffer a painful death as the plastic fills their stomachs, wraps around their intestines, or chokes them to death. Some of these animals are already threatened due to issues such as over fishing or habitat loss."

The petition includes an exception for plastic bags if they meet the highest industry standards for biodegradability and compostability.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The representative said the recycling of standard plastic bags has failed because it isn't economically viable and only a portion of the plastic can be recycled.

She said only 1-5% of plastic bags get recycled while the others end up in waters and landfills.

"Like urban tumbleweeds, plastic bags end up airborne in trees, clogging storm drains and polluting our oceans," the representative said. "Every time we utilize a plastic bag we are contributing to leaving our planet worse for the generations that will follow us. This legislation will put Massachusetts on the map as a beacon for responsible consumer behavior and environmental stewardship."

Here is a link to the bill


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